A POLICE watchdog report released last week shows complaints against Cheshire Constabulary have fallen significantly in the past year.

The report published by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) on Thursday (September 24) revealed complaints dropped from 524 to 436 during 2008 to 2009 - a 17 per cent decrease on the previous year.

The 436 complaints contained a total of 633 allegations, a 25 pc drop on the year before, and the third largest decrease out of all police forces in England and Wales.

The bulk of allegations related to neglect or failure in duty, 19 pc, and incivility, impoliteness and intolerance, 25 pc, described as officers being rude or failing to do their job.

Accusations were dealt with in varying ways, with 33 pc formally investigated, 11pc being withdrawn, 10 pc received dispensation and 43 pc were dealt with by local resolution, which is an explanation or apology from a police supervisor.

Only 3 pc of the allegations were substantiated compared with 10 pc nationally.

Superintendent Paul Williams, head of professional standards at Cheshire Police, said: "The work we have done with staff on the complaints system and the new Police Conduct Regulations, introduced on December 1 last year, will have played a part in achieving the reductions highlighted in the IPCC report.

"We are committed to providing a professional service to the people of Cheshire and our goal is to ensure we are open and transparent in the way we deal with complaints from members of the public."

He added: "There is no doubt that a greater understanding has led to the reduction in complaints in the first quarter of this financial year compared to the same period last year, particularly in the area of neglect of duty, which reduced by more than a third.

"Another area that we have seen significant reductions in is incivility, where the number of complaints dropped by more than 19pc."